Learn How To Lock Stolen Your Apple iPhone 12 Properly

When it comes to security in smartphones, Apple stands at the forefront. The Activation Lock is a robust barrier to preventing unauthorized access and device theft. Losing your Apple iPhone 12 can be a disturbing event, as accidents are inevitable. Taking prompt action to stop unauthorized data access becomes important. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to how to lock a stolen iPhone.

Part 1. Major Threats To Consider When iPhone Is Stolen

A lost iPhone can become susceptible to a myriad of threats. It could compromise your privacy, security, and personal data. Here are the reasons why learning how to lock your Apple iPhone 12 when lost is essential:

1. Unauthorized Access to Personal Data: Thieves can exploit an unsecured Apple iPhone 12 to gain unauthorized access to personal information. These include contacts, messages, emails, and photos.
2. **Financial Exploitation:**With access to your Apple iPhone 12, thieves may attempt to get stored payment methods.
3. Identity Theft: Stolen iPhones often contain a wealth of sensitive information. This makes them a prime target for identity theft.
4. Compromised Social Media Accounts: Using social media applications on your smartphone carries potential risks in the event of device loss. Unauthorized access to your social media accounts can lead to many problems, including misinformation and compromised privacy.

Part 2. Use Find My To Locate Stolen iPhone

On learning about how do I lock my stolen iPhone, Apple’s robust Find My feature emerges as a beacon of hope. It uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals to locate your Apple iPhone 12 accurately.

Key Scenarios Where Find My Works

Find My can be a source to track stolen iPhones, but certain scenarios are associated with its operations. To know more about these scenarios, this section continues the discussion further below:

1. iPhone Turned On:Find My can provide real-time location tracking when your stolen iPhone is still powered on and connected to the internet.
2. **iPhone Turned Off or In Airplane Mode:**The last known location before the Apple iPhone 12 device was powered down or put in Airplane Mode is accessible, offering a starting point for recovery efforts.
3. **Offline Finding with Bluetooth:**The Find My service leverages Bluetooth technology to create a vast network of Apple devices. With these, it can securely help locate your Apple iPhone 12, even offline.
4. **Activation Lock Integration:**This service is also integrated with Activation Lock, adding an extra layer of security. The Activation Lock remains active if a thief attempts to erase your device.

How To Use Find My To Locate Your Stolen iPhone

• Step 1. Access the Find My app on a trusted device and open it. If you can’t access one, use the iCloud website to access Find My service.

• Step 2. After logging in, select the lost device, and you can see its last recorded location on the map.

Part 3. Using Lost Mode To Lock Stolen iPhone

Lost Mode locks the Apple iPhone 12 device and allows users to showcase a personalized message on the screen. This can help greatly in the safe return of the smartphone. The following are the simple steps you need to follow to learn how to block stolen iPhone with Lost Mode:

Activating Lost Mode Using Your Smartphone

• Step 1. Within the Find My app, tap “Devices” from the bottom toolbar and select your lost device. Now, scroll down to “Mark As Lost” and tap “Activate.”

• Step 2. You will now be given a summary of the Lost Mode; tap “Continue” to proceed. On the following screen, add a phone number, tap “Next,” and add a message that will be displayed on the lost device.

• Step 3. After adding a message, tap “Next” on the following screen and press “Activate” from the top right corner.

Activating Lost Mode Using iCloud Website

• Step 1. Access the iCloud website via your computer’s web browser. Sign in using your Apple ID, continue to click the “Grid” icon in the top right corner, and select “Find My.”

• Step 2. In Find My, add your Apple ID password again to access “All Devices.” Now, choose the lost device from the list of all devices in the top left corner. Then, click “Mark As Lost,” and the following pop-up Lost Mode prompt, tap “Next.”

• Step 3. Now go on to add your phone number and tap “Next.” Follow it by providing the message you want to display and click “Activate” to enable Lost Mode.

Part 4. Can’t Find Stolen Phone? Erase iPhone Completely

When efforts to locate a stolen iPhone fail, the need to protect sensitive data intensifies. As a result, the option to erase the Apple iPhone 12 device becomes a crucial step instead of how to lock the Apple iPhone 12 when lost. Here’s how to protect against the potential misuse of your information by erasing your device via Find My:

• Step 1. After accessing Find My service, choose the lost device from the list and click “Erase This Device.”

• Step 2. Select “Continue” on the erased iPhone screen for the Find My app. Once you’ve added the number, press “Erase” in the top right corner and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the procedure.

• Step 3. If using the iCloud website, tap “Erase This Device” and click “Next” on the upcoming prompt. You will be asked to enter the Apple ID password, after which you can use the on-screen guidelines to finish the process.

Part 5. Other Things To Do iPhone Is Stolen

There are additional measures you can take to enhance your overall security apart from understanding how do I lock my stolen iPhone. The following are some options you should utilize in case of device loss:

To Do List #1. Report to Police

If your Apple iPhone 12 is stolen, it is crucial to immediately inform your local law enforcement agency. It facilitates the recovery process and assists in combatting criminal activities. Provide essential details about your Apple iPhone 12, such as the Model, color, and IMEI number. Share information about your efforts to locate the stolen iPhone using Find My.

To Do List #2. Make an Insurance Claim With AppleCare

You can claim insurance if you have AppleCare+ coverage for your Apple iPhone 12. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for iPhone includes protection against theft and loss incidents. It offers up to two incidents of such coverage every 12 months.

To qualify for theft or loss coverage, it is necessary for Find My to be enabled on your device at the time it goes missing. Moreover, it should remain enabled alongside Lost Mode throughout the claims process.

To Do List #3. Remove iPhone From Trusted Devices (2FA)

After your Apple iPhone 12 is stolen, it becomes essential to bolster the security of your online accounts. It is particularly essential for those safeguarded by Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which needs to be removed:

From iOS Device Settings

• Step 1. Access Settings on an iOS device logged in with the same Apple ID as the lost one. Here, tap on your name on the following screen and scroll down.

• Step 2. Simply select the misplaced device, and in the subsequent interface, press “Remove from Account” to eliminate it from the list of trusted devices.

From the Apple ID Website

• Step 1. If you cannot reach a secure device, visit the http://appleid.apple.com website and sign in with the identical Apple ID.

• Step 2. Once logged in, click “Devices” from the left side and select the lost device. To remove this device as a trusted device, click “Remove from Account.”

Part 6. Precautions To Take for Avoiding Losing iPhone

Users can proactively adopt specific measures to reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence. The following essential precautions are recommended while learning how to block your Apple iPhone 12 when stolen:

Precaution #1. Enable Find My on Device

Activating Find My increases the likelihood of recovering your device. Take the following steps to enable the Find My feature on your Apple iPhone 12:

• Step 1. On your iOS device, navigate to “Settings” and tap the Apple ID on the top. Now, scroll down and press “Find My” on the following screen.

• Step 2. Next, tap “Find My iPhone,” on the ensuing window, toggle “Find My iPhone.” This will enable the Find My service on your device.

Precaution #2. Enable Separation Alerts on iPhone

Enabling “Separation Alerts” assists in preventing the loss of your Apple iPhone 12 by alerting you when you distance yourself from it. Follow these steps to enable Separation Alerts on your Apple iPhone 12:

• Step 1. Navigate to and launch the Find My app on your Apple iPhone 12. Select the Apple iPhone 12 device from the “Devices” tab for which you want to enable separation alerts.

• Step 2. From the available options, tap “Notify When Left Behind,” and on the following screen, toggle “Notify When Left Behind.” You can also add locations on this screen by tapping “New Location,” for which you don’t want to receive a left-behind notice.

Precaution #3. Enable 2FA on iPhone

Activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enhances the security of your Apple iPhone 12. The mandatory secondary verification step makes 2FA crucial in securing your accounts. Follow these steps to enable 2FA on your Apple iPhone 12:

• Step 1. Access the Settings app on your iOS device and tap your name/Apple ID. Find and tap “Sign-In & Security” to proceed further.

• Step 2. On the following screen, tap “Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.” Follow it by tapping “Continue” afterward, and use the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Bonus Tip. Find Stolen iPhone Back but Locked? Unlock With Wondershare Dr.Fone

Recovering your stolen iPhone successfully can be a joyous event. Yet, the frustration of discovering your device locked due to a forgotten password can be disheartening. Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) offers a solution to regain access to your device. This robust tool is crafted to help users unlock various iOS screen lock scenarios.

It provides a hassle-free solution for those locked out of their devices. This powerful tool effortlessly removes various lock screens on iPhones and iPads. It can bypass the iCloud activation lock without the need for a password.

Key Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. If you are using iTunes for backup but have forgotten the iTunes backup encryption passcode, Dr.Fone can remove it without data loss.
2. This tool can remove Apple ID from your Apple iPhone 12 or iPad if you have forgotten its password.
3. You can free up your device by removing MDM and carrier locks using Dr.Fone.

Steps To Unlock Your Locked iOS Device Using Wondershare Dr.Fone

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a comprehensive toolkit that addresses many iOS-related issues. It offers a user-friendly solution to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 with the help of the following steps:

• Step 1. Launching Wondershare Dr.Fone and Accessing Toolbox

Once you have installed and launched Wondershare Dr.Fone, access the “Toolbox” tab. Click “Screen Unlock,” and on the following screen, choose “iOS.” Click “Unlock iOS Screen” on the following screen and link your iOS device to the computer.

• Step 2. Entering Recovery Mode and Choosing System Version

The next step requires you to put your device in Recovery Mode, for which you can follow the instructions given on-screen. After your device is in Recovery Mode, Dr.Fone will display its “Model.” Now choose the appropriate “System Version” and click “Start.” Here, Dr.Fone will start downloading the required firmware. Once it is downloaded and verified, tap “Unlock Now.”

• Step 3. Acknowledging Data Loss Warning and Initiating Unlock Process

To show your acknowledgment of the warning, enter the asked code, which is “000000.” Afterward, click “Unlock” to initiate the screen unlocking process. Once the process is complete, tap “Done” to conclude the procedure.

Conclusion

Knowing how to lock stolen iPhones is essential for safeguarding personal and sensitive data. Apple’s Find My empowers users to remotely locate, lock, and erase their lost devices. If you have recovered your stolen device but it is locked, Wondershare Dr.Fone emerges as the top choice to unlock it within minutes.

Tips: Are you searching for a powerful Screen Unlock tool? No worries as Dr.Fone is here to help you. Download it and start a seamless unlock experience!

4 Ways to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use USB Accessories Without Passcode

How do I unlock my Apple iPhone 12? I know you’re supposed to connect it to the computer and put it in recovery mode but when I do, it says “unlock Apple iPhone 12 to use accessories.”

You may have had the experience of connecting your Apple iPhone 12 to a computer with USB accessories. Usually, “Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to use accessories“ will appear on the screen. In most cases, enter the passcode to unlock the phone, and you can then proceed with data transfer and management. What to do if you forget your screen lock passcode? Here come the most effective methods for you!

Part 1: Why You Need to “Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use Accessories”?

The command comes from Apple’s significant privacy safeguard “USB Restricted Mode”. It means after an hour of your iOS device is unlocked, the system cuts off the lightning port and limits it to charging only. Simply put, when your Apple iPhone 12 is locked for more than an hour, it needs to be unlocked to allow the connection of USB accessories. Sometimes, when you unlock your Apple iPhone 12 screen to use USB accessories, it can’t charge anymore.

In 2017, a password cracking tool called GrayKey was launched, which can bypass any iPhone screen lock passcode. The FBI, the police, and some government agencies have all become GrayKey customers. To combat hackers including GrayKey and protect iOS users’ data security, the USB Restricted Mode feature arrived with iOS 11.4.1 in July 2018 and be improved in iOS12.

Part 2: How to Disable USB Restricted Mode?

If you find this warning annoying or your Apple iPhone 12 not charging when using USB accessories, disabling USB Restricted Mode is an optional solution. However, you have to remember the unlock passcode. All the steps will be presented to you next.

• Step 1: Open Settings on your Apple iPhone 12.
• Step 2: Click on Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and then input your screen passcode.
• Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page and find “USB accessories“ in the “Allow access when locked“ column.
• Step 4: Click the toggle button on the right to disable this feature.

After completing all the steps, your Apple iPhone 12 can connect USB accessories anytime, anywhere. However, it is very common to forget to unlock the passcode. Next, we will recommend four solutions to help you use USB accessories without a passcode.

Part 3: How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use USB Accessories without Passcode via Dr.Fone?

Now, here comes an amazing App with many benefits to solving the problem for you.  This is Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock, which is very convenient and fast to use. You must be curious about it. More of its advantages will be introduced to you.

• The application is available on both Mac and Windows.
• No technical skills are required.
• It fully supports iPhone X, iPhone 11, and the latest iPhone models.
• Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock can easily unlock 4-digit or even 6-digit screen passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
• No Apple ID and password are needed.

Step 1: The first step, of course, is to download Dr.Fone to your computer and click on “Screen Unlock”.

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Step 2: Connect your Apple iPhone 12 to the computer with a lightning cable, and choose “Unlock iOS Screen”.

Step 3: Follow the guides to boot your device in Recovery or DFU mode. The Recovery mode is recommended for iOS lock screen removal by default. If you fail to turn on recovery mode, you can turn to activate DFU mode. DFU means Device Firmware Upgrade, and the operation is more mandatory.

Step 4: Click “Start” to download the firmware. After the download is successful, select “Unlock now” and wait a few minutes, the passcode will be removed from your device.

After that, you could set up your Apple iPhone 12 as a new one and unlock your screen to use USB accessories without a passcode.

There is no doubt that you may worry about losing all your data while bypassing the Apple iPhone 12 lock screen. But honestly, there is no tool on the market today that can preserve data to unlock an iPhone. Therefore, it is necessary to back up data in your daily life. Dr.Fone-Phone Backup provides you with a full range of data backup solutions, you can click the link below to learn more.

This guide will teach you about how to unlock iphone using 5 feasible ways.

Part 4: How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use USB Accessories without Passcode via iCloud?

With iCloud, you can quickly clean up your Apple iPhone 12, remove screen locks, and help unlock your device. But, you have to know that all your data will be erased. Make sure your Apple iPhone 12 has the “Find My iPhone” function enabled, otherwise your device will be offline.

Step 1: Open your computer or another iOS device, and sign in with your Apple account.

Step 2: Click on “All Devices”, choose your Apple iPhone 12, and then “Erase iPhone”.

Now, your Apple iPhone 12 will reboot without a passcode. Then, you can unlock Apple iPhone 12 to use accessories and bypass the passcode.

Part 5: How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use USB Accessories without Passcode via iTunes?

There is currently no way to unlock an iPhone without erasing all data. Luckily, iTunes can help back up your data before removing it. Please note that this way is only possible if the Apple iPhone 12 device has synced data in iTunes before.

• Step 1: Connect Apple iPhone 12 to a computer with a USB accessory and turn on iTunes. Then iTunes will make a backup for your phone.
• Step 2: Choose “Restore iPhone”.

Wait for a while and you could unlock the screen to use USB accessories. However, in step one, you may need to enter your passcode to get stuck during the process. Therefore, this method is not the most efficient.

Part 6: How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 to Use USB Accessories without Passcode via Recovery Mode?

If you have forgotten your Apple ID or password and have not synced iCloud and iTunes, you can choose recovery mode. It will remove all your passcode and data as well.

• Step 1: You need to prepare a Mac or PC (Windows 8 or later).
• Step 2: Turn off your Apple iPhone 12.
• Step 3: Put your device in recovery mode. This step might be a little complicated, but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it step by step.

1. Find the button on your device, it will be useful then.

• iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s, and earlier: The Home button.
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: The Volume down button.
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and later devices: The side button.

2. Quickly press and hold the button while connecting your phone and computer until the recovery mode appears.

Step 4: Find your tool in iTunes on the computer. Choose Restore and this process will take a few minutes.

Step 5: Unplug your tool and use your Apple iPhone 12 without a passcode.

Now, you’ll get an iPhone which is like being factory reset. And you could unlock the screen to use USB accessories when you forget the passcode.

Part 7: Hot FAQ about USB Accessories on iPhone

Q1: What is the feature of USB Accessories on iPhone?

From USB-A to the latest, USB-C. Also, most iPhones use a proprietary Lightning port.

Q2: Why does My iPhone Think My Charger is a USB Accessory?

It is related to the capacity of the charger. If a low-capacity charger is used, your device must regard it as a USB port because the USB port charges at a lower rate than a good wall charger. Another possibility is that the cable being used is flaky.

Q3: What to Do If My iPhone Not Charging after Unlock to Use Accessories?

• Step 1: Disconnect your tool from the accessory.
• Step 2: Unlock your device.
• Step 3: Connect the USB accessory again.

If it doesn’t work, please contact customer service of Apple.

Conclusion

It is very common to use USB accessories to connect iPhone and computer. Sometimes, we may forget the password, or cannot unlock the screen due to system failure. There are many ways to unlock Apple iPhone 12 to use the accessories in the article. Finally, we recommend everyone to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock, a helpful and convenient tool.

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How to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 Without Passcode?

It’s a frustrating situation where you forgot your Apple iPhone 12’s passcode and are now unable to unlock it. Unfortunately, if you are experiencing this situation with your Apple iPhone 12, you must be looking to learn how to unlock Apple iPhone 12 without a passcode.

There are many ways to unlock the Apple iPhone 12 without a passcode. You not only do it with the help of iPhone’s stock features like Find My Apple iPhone 12 or iTunes, but you can also use third-party methods to unlock the Apple iPhone 12 lock screen.

So, let’s get straight to the different methods to unlock the Apple iPhone 12 lock screen.

4 Easy Methods to Unlock Apple iPhone 12 without Passcode

Following are the four different methods to unlock Apple iPhone 12 without a passcode:

Method #1: Unlock iPhone Screen Passcode With iTunes

Unlocking an iPhone through iTunes is one of the most common ways. If you have forgotten your Apple iPhone 12 passcode, you can use iTunes to erase your device and reset it to its factory settings. This will remove the passcode, but it will also delete all of your data. If your device has a backup, you can use iTunes to restore your data after erasing your device.

Follow the steps to do this.

1. First, connect your Apple iPhone 12 to your computer and launch iTunes. You will have to install it if you don’t have it on your computer. For installation, click here and download
2. Once you launch iTunes, you see few devices available to connect. So, select your device from the list.
3. Now you will have two options under your Apple iPhone 12’s specifications. So you will have to click on the other option named Restore iPhone.
4. By clicking this button, you will be asked again for confirmation. After confirmation, iTunes will wipe out everything on your Apple iPhone 12, and once the process is completed, you will be able to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 XR lock screen without any passcode.

Method #2: Unlock It Via Find My iPhone

If the above-given method is not helpful or you haven’t used iTunes before, we have another solution. You can use the “Find My iPhone” feature to erase your device and unlock it. This is useful when you quickly want to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 without a passcode.

All you have to do is follow the steps given below.

1. Log in to the iCloud website on your MacBook or Computer. For this, you will need to use your Apple ID and Password that you are using on your Apple iPhone 12.
2. Once you are logged in to iCloud, you will see many options and features but look for the Find My iPhone option.
3. Once you find it, click on it, and you will see a few more options, and one of them would be Erase iPhone.
4. You will have to click on it, showing you a confirmation message to erase all your data on your Apple iPhone 12.
5. Confirm it, and your Apple iPhone 12 will be restored to the factory settings, and all your data will be removed.
6. Once the process is completed, you can unlock your Apple iPhone 12 X lock screen without any passcode.

Method #3: Remove Passcode With Tapping Erase Phone (iOS 15.2 only)

If both above-given methods don’t work for you, or you don’t have access to a computer or MacBook to use those methods, there is a 3rd method for you. But it only works on iPhones with iOS 15.2 versions.

With this method, you can follow the steps below to remove the screen lock passcode on Apple iPhone 12.

1. First, you must try unlocking your Apple iPhone 12 with all the possible passcodes you remember.
2. When you try too many wrong passcode attempts, iPhone will show you a message that states that your Apple iPhone 12 is locked for 1-15 minutes.
3. By this message, you will also see another option at the bottom right corner named Erase iPhone.
4. By clicking this option, you will be asked about your Apple ID and Password that you have used on this iPhone.
5. So provide them, and you will be able to erase your Apple iPhone 12, and in the end, your Apple iPhone 12 will be unlocked without needing a passcode or password.

Method #4: Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock

This is the most effective and easiest way to remove or break your Apple iPhone 12 passcode. You can use this method if all the above methods don’t work for you or you don’t remember your Apple ID or Password.

Here are some easy steps that you should take.

Step #1: Download Dr.Fone Tool

First, you must go to your computer or MacBook and download the Dr.Fone tool. You can follow the link to download and install this tool for free.

Step #2: Connect Your Apple iPhone 12

After installing Dr.Fone on your computer, you will need to launch the Software and connect your Apple iPhone 12 using the original iPhone’s cable.

(Using the original iPhone cable will make it easy to connect your Apple iPhone 12 to the computer)

Step #3: Take your Apple iPhone 12 to Recovery Mode:

Once your Apple iPhone 12 is successfully connected, you must take it to recovery or DFU mode. For this, follow the instructions given below.

Step #4: Download Firmware

When your Apple iPhone 12 enters into recovery mode, you will see a Start button on Dr.Fone. So, you will have to select the correct iPhone and software model and click the Start button.

It will download the iOS firmware for your Apple iPhone 12.

Step #5: Unlock iPhone X or XR Lock Screen

Once the downloading is completed, you will need to click on Unlock Now button, and the process to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 X lock screen will begin.

Once the process is completed, you can unlock your Apple iPhone 12 XR lock screen without the passcode.

FAQs

Following are 3 frequently asked questions that might come into your mind and their answers to help you understand everything.

How to remove the passcode on an iOS device?

First, open the Settings menu and scroll down to the Touch ID & Passcode option. Here, you will need to enter your current passcode to disable it.

Once done, toggle the switch next to the Passcode option to the Off position. You can then enter your passcode once more to confirm that you wish to disable it.

After doing this, your iOS device will no longer require a passcode to be accessed.

Can local Apple support help me to unlock my Apple iPhone 12?

The answer is yes!

Here’s how.

Take your Apple iPhone 12 to the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Please contact them, and bring your proof of purchase and other relevant documentation.

First, they will confirm that you are the actual owner of the Apple iPhone 12; after that, they will help you to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 lock screen.

Why was my Apple iPhone 12 locked?

There are some causes why your Apple iPhone 12 X or XR may be locked. One is that you entered the wrong passcode too many times. If in the situation, you’ll need to wait a certain amount of time before you can try again.

Another possibility is that someone tried to break into your phone using an illegal passcode-guessing tool. If this happens, your phone will be locked for a more extended period.

Finally, if you have an Apple iPhone 12 with Face ID, it’s possible that your phone was locked because it didn’t recognize your face. You ought to enter your passcode to unlock your phone if this is the case.

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The Bottom Line

So, these are some most effective methods to follow and unlock the Apple iPhone 12 XR lock screen without a passcode. All the methods discussed are excellent and working, but the most convenient way is using the Wondershare Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock. It is a perfect tool that can be used to unlock different iPhone lock screens. Moreover, it is very safe and easy to use. So, we recommend you use this tool to unlock your Apple iPhone 12 lock screen without a passcode.

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